LIVE Ustream of the South East Laborer’s Summit
Recruiting Laborers to a Vision to Build an Army for Christ
Savannah, GA
Saturday 16 Feb 08 EST
1030-1130 – State of the Army Work- Andrew Stroud
1400-1500 – Focusing on Developing the Man in Light of the Movement – Cecil Bean
1500-1600 – The Needs of the Work, Who’s In? – Chuck Wood
1700-1800 – Staff Funding- John Snyder and Joseph Peer
If you want to tune in on any of the sessions, click on the link below:
Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:12
At night, ranger patrols normally snake their way through the mountains at a slow and tedious pace. This is especially true when it’s moonless and pitch-black. One night I noticed from the rear of the patrol that we were moving at a pretty good clip. I was curious at this oddity and made my way to the front of the patrol. I found the point man was wearing night vision goggles and sporting an infrared lens on his flashlight. To the naked eye, there was only darkness, but to him it was like daylight. The point man was leading his fellow students through the darkness with ease. As Christians, we can do the same for those around us. Jesus said we are the light of the world and we have the light of His Word. We are guides for those trying to find their way through spiritual darkness. Let your light shine and lead others to Jesus. SP194
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28
Back in the days before BDUs and ACUs we wore Olive Drab fatigues. There was a saying at the time; “We’re all OD green.” This was an attempt to build unity and to cut down on some of the racial problems experienced by the Army in the late 70s. It has since become less than politically correct to say we are all the “same” because of the fear of losing our uniqueness. However, I think finding and celebrating our commonality is just as valid as enjoying our individuality. As Christians, we should celebrate our unity in Christ. No matter what race, color, ethnic background, gender, etc… we are all one in Christ. Maybe not politically correct, but correct nonetheless. SP193
Tonight, Wednesday 13 Feb 08, I will be doing a LIVE Streaming on the internet at 2100 EST. The topic will start with the parable of the soils and then we’ll talk shop about ministry.
You can tune in at: www.ustream.tv/channel/army-navigators
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:4-5
The generator mechanic was making his third trip outside into the blizzard like conditions. As the Pathfinder Platoon Sergeant, I was enjoying one of those rare opportunities to actually be in a warm tent and in a sleeping bag. In the darkness I was thinking about how all my hardcore guys were sound asleep while this poor Specialist was outside freezing in the dark trying to get the electricity flowing again. Without the mechanics expertise, the Tactical Operation Center would probably shut down. There wasn’t much need for high speed Pathfinders at that point. It dawned on me how important this guy really was. Everyone has his or her own unique contribution to the effort. The next time you run into one of these important guys, give him or her a pat on the back. And I personally thank you for all you do as an individual for our country, but most importantly, for the Kingdom. Your contribution counts. SP192
God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19
I was the lone pathfinder on the top of a mountain. As I looked out for miles around, all I could see was the desert floor and the intense heat waves rising off the sand. A thought ran through my head, “What if the pilot forgets that I’m out here? What if he experiences some kind of mechanical trouble and he leaves me here in the desert? What if…” Suddenly, breaking my chain of worrisome thoughts, I heard the familiar sound of helicopter blades beating the air. The prospects of being stranded alone in a desolate wasteland ended because the pilot fulfilled his promise. There are times in life when we start feeling alone. Times when we doubt God’s dependability. Times when we waver with the “What ifs” and we feel like He may leave us stranded. In those times we need to remind ourselves, He is always dependable and will fulfill every promise. SP191
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Act 4:13
I was preaching to the islanders during a missions trip to the Solomon Islands. The pastor came up to me afterwards and asked through the translator, “Are you a soldier?” I was amazed because at the time, I had just finished seminary and was waiting to come back in the Army as a chaplain. My hair was not regulation and I wasn’t wearing a uniform, how could he tell I had been a soldier? When I asked, he said “You just look and act like a soldier.” I guess after being in the service so long it’s pretty obvious. But here’s a more important question; when people look at us is it obvious that we are Christians? When we live our lives with Jesus intensely, others will readily recognize who we’ve been with. SP190
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:46-47
As a member of an infantry squad I became a pretty tight with the other guys in the unit. We ate together, lived in the barracks, cleaned the latrine, told war stories, buffed the floors, went to the field, did PT, got chewed out, everything we did was together. Although at times it was a strain, being together made us a better unit. We knew each other and we took care of one another. The dynamics for creating community haven’t changed. Look at the early church. Although they were a part of a larger congregation, they also spent a lot of time together in smaller groups. Hanging out in one another’s homes, eating together, studying the Bible, and praying together. It was good for them and it’s good for us. This kind of community is essential for strong and healthy churches. Are you a member of a spiritual squad?
Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen” Acts 1:24
A CH-47 helicopter had crashed on a small island near the coast of North and South Korea. SSG Craig was chosen to take his Pathfinder Team to secure the aircraft. There was only one problem, I was the Platoon Sergeant and no one said anything to me. Never mind protocol, I was just mad because I wasn’t picked. Then I found out that instead of issuing the ammo to SSG Craig’s team, they locked it in a footlocker. I was boiling! In fact, I kind of had the reputation of being hot headed. On the other hand, SSG Craig was cool, calm, and collective in stressful situations. You think these different character traits made a difference in who they selected for the mission? I’ve sense learned to manage my temper a little better. God is looking for men and women with the right heart. Character makes all the difference.
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified. And the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he praised God and said, “Surely this man was a righteous man and the Son of God!” (Composite Statements from Matthew 27:54 Mark 15:39 Luke 23:47 NIV)
Soldiers following orders hung the Savior of the world on a cross and when it was finished, the commander recognized Jesus for who He really was, the Son of God. For 2000 years soldiers have been recognizing Jesus Christ for who He is, the forgiver of their sins, and their true Commander. From privates to generals, soldiers have declared their faith and allegiance to the Son of God. The very sort that executed Him, now receive Him as their Lord and God. We have placed our trust in Him, because in this brutal profession of preserving peace and liberty, He is our only hope. SP187
On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” Luke 22:40 (NIV)
We moved down the trail in total darkness and the only thing we could see was the dim outline of the trees along the path. I was the point man and I could hear voices up ahead. Excitement was building as I lead the reconnaissance patrol toward the suspected mortar position. Then suddenly, there was a deafening bang next to my right ear and a flash blinded me. The mortar crew had put out a booby trap. As we stumbled back down the trail with our tail between our legs and seeing nothing but white dots, I realized I had failed as the point man that night. Aren’t you glad that God can see every trip wire and every ambush? We need to pray that God will go before us as our point man and warn us about the temptations that lay in our path.
ToBeLikeJesus 